‘At Last’ Louisiana Secures Class VI Primacy

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement on Louisiana securing Class VI primacy—the authority to permit, site, and provide oversight of carbon storage wells in the state.

“Louisiana worked to receive the authority to regulate capturing and storing carbon,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This unlocks the next phase of job creation and economic development in Louisiana. It also creates a competitive advantage compared to other states while protecting the environment.”

The long-awaited application approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows Louisiana to continue leading the country in the expansion of new, lower-pollution technologies such as carbon capture, hydrogen, and direct air capture. It also positions Louisiana to access funding dedicated to carbon capture in Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“This is a huge victory for Louisiana,” LOGA President Mike Moncla said. “The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the Louisiana Office of Conservation worked tirelessly over the last 2+ years with the EPA to ensure that Louisiana’s permitting process met or exceeded EPA’s standards.

“The Office of Conservation is uniquely qualified to implement this process, with its extensive knowledge of the state’s geology and its multiple decades of experience working safely with CO2 injection wells and facilities.

“Louisiana now stands at the forefront of CCUS.

“LOGA and its members look forward to taking advantage of the tremendous opportunities this presents the state and its workforce.”

“This is a huge step forward for Louisiana’s future as a top energy producing state,” said Marc Ehrhardt, executive director of the Grow Louisiana Coalition. “With carbon capture and storage, we can increase energy production, create jobs and generate revenue for Louisiana while safely reducing emissions. For 100 years, Louisiana has been a leader in American energy production and innovation, with this approval, we are poised to maintain and build on this reputation for the next century.”

“The decision to grant Louisiana primacy is a monumental step in advancing our state’s energy future,” Louisiana Association of Business & Industry President & CEO Will Green said. “Louisiana will be able to usher in a new era of technology and innovation, while safeguarding our industrial, manufacturing and energy industries.

“Obtaining primacy will enable a more efficient and streamlined permitting process as we aim to meet the demands of global energy markets while generating billions of dollars in future investment and expanding employment opportunities across the state.

“The impact of this decision from the EPA cannot be understated. It reinforces Louisiana’s position as an energy leader in carbon capture and sequestration technology. We are excited and well-prepared to seize this opportunity for economic growth.”

Background

Cassidy has led a two-year push for the EPA to allow Louisiana to invest in carbon storage wells, meeting resistance from the Biden administration. He penned an op-ed in the American Press highlighting the need for Louisiana to secure the ability Class VI primacy—state-led enforcement for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide.

At a recent Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing Cassidy pressed Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Secretary David Turk on Louisiana’s stalled application for Class VI primacy. Cassidy asked what the Department of Energy can do to shake loose Louisiana’s Class VI primacy application—which was submitted in April 2021—from the federal government.

In April, EPA announced they intend to grant Louisiana the authority to permit, site, and provide oversight of carbon storage wells in the state. EPA then unnecessarily extended the public comment period an extra 30 days. The announcement came more than a month and a half after the public comment period closed on July 3, 2023. Of the 41,622 total comments submitted to the EPA in the initial comment period, the EPA has deemed just over 400 as substantial comments. The vast majority of public comments have been supportive of Class VI primacy in Louisiana.